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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value Engineering-Related Fields Schools in Illinois

2 Colleges in the United States
$22,344 Avg Student Debt
$77,704 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Engineering-Related Fields Badge [Engineering-Related Fields](/majors/engineering-technologies/engineering-related-fields/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong engineering-related fields education at a price that pays off.

College Factual analyzed 6 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value engineering-related fields schools.

What’s on this page:

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Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in engineering-related fields, balancing cost against outcomes.

1

Leading the list is Northern Illinois University, our #1 best value for engineering-related fields in Illinois. Set in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,060 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for engineering-related fields graduates is $25,209. Engineering-Related Fields graduates of Northern Illinois University earn a median of $81,686 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,209 median debt. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.

2

A rank of #2 makes University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign one of the best values for engineering-related fields. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $18,267, compared with $40,096 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,778 to complete the engineering-related fields program here. Engineering-Related Fields graduates of University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn a median of $57,461 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 42%.

3

Illinois Institute Of Technology is a great value for students pursuing a degree in engineering-related fields, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Chicago, Illinois Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $52,202 in tuition and fees. Engineering-Related Fields graduates carry a median of $26,774 in student loans. Soon after graduation, engineering-related fields degree recipients from Illinois Institute Of Technology generally make around $72,164. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Illinois Institute Of Technology admits about 55% of applicants.

4

Students looking for strong value in engineering-related fields will find it at Northwestern University, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $68,322 in tuition and fees. Engineering-Related Fields graduates carry a median of $16,616 in student loans. Soon after graduation, engineering-related fields degree recipients from Northwestern University generally make around $144,879. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 8%.

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Notes and References

The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 6 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 2 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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